Senate Democrats are elevating Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to a new leadership position on Thursday. She will help shape policy and messaging for the party.
Warren’s title will be Strategic Policy Advisor to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. She will serve as a liaison to liberal organizations, a source familiar with the move confirmed to TPM.
“Senator Warren will be a liaison to the liberal groups in our base to ensure that they have a voice in leadership meetings and discussions,” the source said.
A top Democratic leadership aide told TPM that “the idea was to create a position in leadership for her within the Democratic Policy and Communications Center, which is the messaging and policy “war room” chaired by Senator Schumer and Vice Chair Stabenow.”
“I expect her to be Elizabeth Warren,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said on Thursday at a press conference.
“I believe in what the Democrats are fighting for. Wall Street is doing very well. CEOs are bringing in millions more and families all across this country are struggling,” Warren said. “We have to make this government work for the American people and that’s what we’re here to fight for and I am grateful to the leader, I am grateful to the caucus for giving me a chance to be a part of that fight but that’s what we’re all going to be here doing every single day. That’s what we’re about.”
Warren, of course, is a favorite of the liberal wing of the Democratic party. She’s recently played a key role as a top surrogate for embattled Democrats in the last election cycle (making late-game trips to help Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). By April of 2014 Warren had raised over $1 million for 26 Senate Democrats in the cycle.
Roll Call noted on Wednesday that before the 2014 midterm elections Reid had high praise for Warren in a conference call with liberal supporters. He said Warren had “changed the Senate.”
“No one has been more change oriented than Elizabeth Warren,” Reid said during the call. “This woman was seen as a progressive. She can go any place and campaign. She’s been to Kentucky many times. She goes every place because she’s accepted —because her message is to the people of this country. She understands.
“She’s never stopped telling people how important it is to continue —to continue fighting for fairness and equality.”
This post has been updated.
